Higher-end Boot warranties

[roosterdown]

Wondering if anyone has investigated this - thought I would throw it out.

I have a pair of Zamberlans that I have quickly grown to like.

However the first time they dealt with moisture - literally walking across my lawn which had some morning dew on it - they leaked like a sieve.

Zamberlan botched their warranty response and it literally took three separate claims and over six months for them to reply. When they finally did reply, they apologized and referenced the fine print - that the gore-tex liners are not warrantied by them, rather by Gore-Tex. Passing the buck.

Certainly I'm not buying more Zams. (I've owned three pairs over the years.)

I am curious if this is the norm in the boot industry... Do the other big names in hunting boots handle waterproof warranty claims this way?

 

[Poser]

It is the norm. You contact Goretex and they will have you send a pic of you cutting the liner and they will send you a voucher.

Could also be that those boots have been sitting in the box for quite some time and need a good leather conditioning and waterproofing.

 

[gostovp]

If outside of the manufacturers normal warranty (typically one year) then yes. Gore Tex is supposed to have a lifetime warranty ( think life of the boot or item.. not your lifetime), so keep your purchase receipt and the box or tags with the item number and upc on it and if you gotta send it to Gore for testing you have the documentation.

 

[sndmn11]

@Hoffman Boots
@Lathrop and Sons Boots
@Schnee's

 

[Zdub02]

I claimed a warranty on some Meindel's (the ultralights from cabelas). Gore-tex filled the warranty and offered great customer service with the experience. Just throwing that out there for what it's worth.

 

[Turkeygetpwnd38]

Schnee’s is king of CS, they will go above and beyond.
I’ve had good luck with Crispi within a year.
Had the same experience you had except with hanwag and salewa.

 

[doverpack12]

Schnees treated me more than right. I got fitted in their store went home with boots. Had problems due to too tight of a fit. They got me a larger size, little delayed because that was right when they went to a new model but I got new boots in a larger size after I used the original pair for a year. That can’t be beat.
I will also say those boots are the only boots that have never leaked and still don’t leak. They are a little tight now but if I want to stay dry they are the pair to grab.

Lathrop also treated me right. I bought a pair with their fit system in December 2020. Didn’t get them until July or August 2021 and the insoles I needed to make them truly usable didn’t arrive until October or early November. I only had limited opportunity to use them in the snow in November. Feet were happy and dry. Come 2022 it’s a rainy September particularly early and they didn’t even attempt to keep my feet dry. I had to go on a goat hunt late September and finish out the season through November with wet feet anytime there was moisture. I got ahold of James he had me send the boots to him for testing even though I was way beyond the warranty timeframe. We discussed timing of delivery and why I didn’t figure out they leaked until September 2022. James got back and confirmed they leaked and got a new pair of boots fit up for me. Those have been solid through 2023 and 2024 seasons. Typically 40-50 days hunting a year plus off season scouting, backpacking and shed hunting. I’m happy with the second pair and in my opinion they have earned their cost and lived their life but are still going strong.

Absolutely support purchasing from with of those two companies. Pick the boot that fits from a solid company.
I have no doubt about Hoffman and they were next on my list if Lathrop didn’t fix my boot fit issues.

 

[TaperPin]

Goretex socks over wool socks are my go to and the boots are welcome to do whatever. Eventually you’ll get tired wasting time with boot leaks, time fussing with returns, more boot leaks, etc. They work so good I’m somewhat surprised everyone doesn’t use them, but hunters are an optimistic bunch.

 

[Lathrop and Sons Boots]

We have a one year warranty just like most of the other companies.. I know when we sold a lot of GOR boots we would contact Gore tex for the replacement boot to be issued...

 

[wapitibob]

I have dealt with Gore on a warranty, it was a lengthy process and they will do everything they can to keep from replacing your boots.
Crispi had me fill my boots with water, like Gore does for in house testing, and send them pictures. Replacement boots were issued the next day. I water test every boot I own after every hunt.
REI has a 1 year full replacement or refund warranty, I have used for decades.

 

[Tman24]

I have dealt with Gore on a warranty, it was a lengthy process and they will do everything they can to keep from replacing your boots.
Crispi had me fill my boots with water, like Gore does for in house testing, and send them pictures. Replacement boots were issued the next day. I water test every boot I own after every hunt.
REI has a 1 year full replacement or refund warranty, I have used for decades.

Be careful you don’t get banned

REI Is Banning Some Customers From Returning or Exchanging Gear

A "very small subset" of REI members flagged for misusing the outdoor retail giant's return policy will no longer be able to bring back or exchange their purchases.

www.backpacker.com